Export Credits Guarantee Department: New Chairman for ECGD

Guy Beringer QC has been appointed as non-executive chairman of ECGD, the UK export credit agency.

Guy succeeds Graham Pimlott, who has held the post since January 2004.

Guy is 54 and was born in Singapore. He attended Campbell College, Belfast and then read history at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. He joined London law firm Allen & Overy in 1978, qualifying as a solicitor in 1980.

He became a partner at A&O in 1985 and was Senior Partner from 2000 to 2008. During his time as Senior Partner, the firm doubled in size and developed a global presence. In 2006 he advised Lord Carter of Coles on his review of legal aid and in 2008 he was a member of Lord Justice Gage's Sentencing Commission Working Group.

In October 2006, he was appointed Queen's Counsel (honoris causa) for his contributions to pro bono and legal services.

Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business Lord Davies of Abersoch said:

"I am delighted to welcome Guy to the board of ECGD, where I am sure his experience and enthusiasm will make him a worthy successor to Graham Pimlott. I would like to thank Graham for all his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future."

Guy said:

"I'm very excited to be taking on the chairman's role at ECGD. These are challenging times for Britain's exporters but Graham leaves a very strong team at ECGD and I look forward to working with them in responding to those challenges."

Guy was a keen rugby player and, like his father, won two rugby blues at Cambridge. He then played for London Irish for ten years, appearing in the team's first national cup final in 1980, and captaining the club for the 1985 season. He also represented Ulster for two seasons. In 2008 he joined the board of London Irish Holdings.

Guy is married with three daughters and two grandsons and lives in Weybridge.

Notes to editors

ECGD, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, is the UK export credit agency. ECGD works with exporters, project sponsors, banks and buyers to help UK exporters to trade with confidence, by providing insurance against non-payment risks and guarantees for bank loans to buyers of UK goods. It also provides insurance against political risks to UK investors in overseas markets.